Summary

This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are carried throughout the Health Care Center - including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the services. The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility - classified as a Level 1A Complexity - providing a full range of patient care services - with state-of­ the-art technology - education - and limited research.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 12/12/2025

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f) Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
• OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination NOTE: Possession of a active - valid certification identified below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Certification
• Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11 Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet ONE of the criteria below: (a) Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-9 OR (b) Education
• Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for this grade level: (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• (c) Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• (d) Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• (f) Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions
• (g) Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• Assignment
• This is considered FPL for a CLS
• A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry - microbiology - immunology - hematology - and immunohematology
• Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods
• In addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests
• Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer - analyzer specialist - primary operator on new test systems - quality control specialist - supply control - and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program
• This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing
• These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision
• The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action
• This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit the https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Must be able to perform moderate lifting of 15-50 pounds - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers and both hands - walking 4-8 hours - standing 4-8 hours - kneeling - repeated bending - and use of both arms and legs
• Specific visual requirements include both eyes - depth perception - the ability to distinguish colors and shades or colors - and the ability to ready ordinary type without strain
• Must have adequate hearing (aids permitted) - and the emotional stability and mental stability to deal with stressful situations.

Duties

• This position is located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
• The duties and responsibilities are carried throughout the Healthcare Center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the services
• Duties include: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all clinical laboratory testing phases (pre-analytical - analytical - post-analytical) and tasks of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist profession
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from excepted results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Follows established policies and procedures
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis
• Operates - calibrates - troubleshoots malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment and documents appropriately
• Performs and documents quality control and corrective actions
• Communicates issues with supervisor as needed
• Reports test results timely
• Notifies provider of critical results and documents appropriately
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Consults with supervisor or pathologists when needed
• Assists with test method validation
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines and turnaround times
• Communicates with healthcare providers on patient history or condition to evaluate the test result validity as needed to troubleshoot unusual results
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• Enters Incident reports for Process improvement
• Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity when evaluating the validity of testing results
• Completes on time assigned and mandatory training courses
• Manages personal competency folder to maintain compliance
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing safety and security in the workplace
• Maintains confidentiality regarding administrative and patient issues
• Participates in proficiency testing - competency testing and -Performance Improvement activities and helps maintain accreditation by participating in quality improvement goals of the laboratory and healthcare system
• Work Schedule: 11:00 pm - 7:30 am - Monday through Friday - rotating weekends and holidays
• Compressed/Flexible: Not available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Functional Statement #: 21898F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Additional Benefits Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional